Italy can be a banana peel
THE Springboks faced down our Namibian neighbours who were visibly motivated.
This was evidenced in the initial fierce exchanges. In terms of sheer physicality, they struggled to match the Boks and by the end of the 10th minute South Africa had their first points on the board.
We had also established a clear forward dominance which was exploited by focusing on the maul drive, reaping four tries as a result.
Lying ahead is Italy who can prove a proverbial banana peel. Why? The Latins know what it takes to beat the Boks, they famously did so for the first time in 2016.
They have also won two games on the trot against the Namibians and Canadians. While being pragmatic about the context of these victories, they will be confident on the tactics and game execution of any plan the coaching team tailors for the South Africans.
South Africa are very aware that should we lose, World Cup 2019 is over, and we will leave at the conclusion of the pool stages. The Italians have a very strong pack with Sharks Academy
alumni Braam Steyn on the flank. They play a typically abrasive, northern hemisphere style with smart first phase strikes, and always keep their big chaps up front in the game.
Captain Fantastic, Sergio Parisse, drives much of their on-field challenge and we will need to be well prepared.
What lies ahead? The Canadians have had one fixture to date, losing by over 40 points to the Italians.
They play the All Blacks today and should be in for a hiding. Should we beat Italy on Friday we can get decent recovery in prior to next Tuesdays fixture against them.
The quarter-finals then beckon. If Japan continue to perform as they have, they will be our opponents. Should they lose to Scotland on October 13, and Ireland win their remaining pool games, we will face the Irish.
There were some surprise selections for the Bok quarter-final starting 15.
They were on in my opinion but Rassie took me by surprise, with his three changes, as it is known he is not keen to tamper with the settled starters.
Bongi Mbonambi and Lood de Jager have raised their hands and Beast will not let the side down. Tactically, it is well proven that teams who play less and make fewer mistakes win World Cups. Do not expect this to change in 2019.
The on-field play will become more like chess, using the forwards to win the gain line battle with much aerial ping pong. Waiting for a poor kick or forced turnover to counter-attack against an unorganised defence will be the mantra. Patience will be the primary game pillar. Will there be a team willing to chance their arm and roll the dice in terms of being more expansive? Perhaps only if they feel that the odds are stacked against them as the French did in 1999. What resulted was a glorious exhibition of Gallic flair which will long live in World Cup folklore.
They did follow this up in 2007 to prove that when the odds are against them they are capable of massive upsets. Do not bet against them should they make the knockouts.